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When His brother Ptolemy VI Philomentor died, Ptolemy VIII married Cleopatra II the widow of Ptolemy VI, and killed her young son Ptolemy VII succeeding the throne
Physcon took his revenge on the Jews and intellectuals of Alexandria who had opposed him in favor of his late brother Ptolemy VI, engaging in mass purges and expulsions that included Aristarchus of Samothrace and Apollodorus
He then married Cleopatra III who was the daughter of his brother Ptolemy VI Philomentor and his wife Cleopatra II, having both mother and daughter at the same time
In 132 BC. the people of Alexandria rioted and set fire to the royal palace.
Physcon, Cleopatra III, and their children escaped to Cyprus, while Cleopatra II had her 12 years old son (also Physcon's son), Ptolemy Memphitis acclaimed as Pharaoh.
Physcon was however able to get hold of the boy and killed him, dismembering the body of his own son pieces.
His only positive contribution was the construction of the temple of Hathor Denderah
He was also responsible for decorating the gateway of the Second Pylon in the temple of Amun at Karnak.
When he died, he left the throne to Cleopatra III and her son Ptolemy IX
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